Which Is Better...Charcoal Or Gas Grilling?
http://www.foodndrinks.net/articles/3367/1/Which-Is-BetterCharcoal-Or-Gas-Grilling/Page1.html
Raymond Weiss
My name is R.J. I'm a very passionate cook. My website Chef-Knives-Store.com specializes in the best knives at the best prices. My goal is to have you enjoy cooking as much as I do. By Raymond Weiss
Published on 07/9/2009
The debate that will never end, charcoal or gas grilling. Here is my expert opinion.
This is an argument that no one ever wins. Some people swear by using gas, some people swear by using charcoal. There is absolutely no switching any one's mind on this subject of which is better.
Personally, I think that neither side is right or wrong because both have it's advantages. When you're deciding on what type of grill to buy next, there are certain people that should buy a charcoal grill and certain individuals that need to buy a gas grill.
When I'm advising someone on which grill to buy, I want to know more about their personality then anything else. Instead of pushing a charcoal grill because it offers more flavor, the individual might be better off buying a gas grill because of convenience.
As you can see, the biggest difference between the two grills is flavor and convenience. A charcoal grill offers superior and unique flavor. If you learn how to cook correctly with coal, there is nothing that tastes better.
A gas grill, won't offer that flavor and versatility of a charcoal. However, a gas grill is a lot easier and quicker to cook with than charcoal.
You need to buy whichever grill you think you will need most. If you find yourself with only 10-15 minutes to spare to cook dinner, you would never use a charcoal grill because it takes longer to get ready.
If you want the best tasting food, go with a charcoal grill. If you want the quickest done food, go with a charcoal grill.
That being said, a long time ago, I thought gas was the way to go. However, that's before I really got to understand how cooking with coals actually works.
Cooking with gas is pretty simple. You have controls of low, medium, and high. Next, you have a method of grilling of direct or indirect.
Charcoal on the other hand is a lot more versatile. For example, you can lower the grate or stack up the charcoal really close to the grate to get a grill really hot. This especially helps when searing in flavor in meat.
When professional restaurants prepare a steak, they sear in the flavor of a steak using an extremely hot oven. This is why your steak remains consistent throughout. If you want to replicate that high heat at home, charcoal is your best chance.
Some charcoal grills even allow smoking. For anyone that has never heard of a Kamado style grill, it's the ultimate in versatility. It offers the highest quality BBQing, grilling, and smoking a man could ask for.
Last, which is the reason I buy charcoal, price. A high end gas grill can go for over $2,000. A high end charcoal grill goes for a few hundred dollars.
The cost of the use of gas and a bag of charcoal are pretty much a wash. However, I find charcoal grills to be a lot more durable. This is because you don't have all the extra controls on a charcoal grill compared to a gas grill. Which saves you a lot of money and time in the long run. A quality charcoal grill can last over a decade.
Good luck in purchasing your new grill. I can only wish you have as great as memories as I do while grilling.
Personally, I think that neither side is right or wrong because both have it's advantages. When you're deciding on what type of grill to buy next, there are certain people that should buy a charcoal grill and certain individuals that need to buy a gas grill.
When I'm advising someone on which grill to buy, I want to know more about their personality then anything else. Instead of pushing a charcoal grill because it offers more flavor, the individual might be better off buying a gas grill because of convenience.
As you can see, the biggest difference between the two grills is flavor and convenience. A charcoal grill offers superior and unique flavor. If you learn how to cook correctly with coal, there is nothing that tastes better.
A gas grill, won't offer that flavor and versatility of a charcoal. However, a gas grill is a lot easier and quicker to cook with than charcoal.
You need to buy whichever grill you think you will need most. If you find yourself with only 10-15 minutes to spare to cook dinner, you would never use a charcoal grill because it takes longer to get ready.
If you want the best tasting food, go with a charcoal grill. If you want the quickest done food, go with a charcoal grill.
That being said, a long time ago, I thought gas was the way to go. However, that's before I really got to understand how cooking with coals actually works.
Cooking with gas is pretty simple. You have controls of low, medium, and high. Next, you have a method of grilling of direct or indirect.
Charcoal on the other hand is a lot more versatile. For example, you can lower the grate or stack up the charcoal really close to the grate to get a grill really hot. This especially helps when searing in flavor in meat.
When professional restaurants prepare a steak, they sear in the flavor of a steak using an extremely hot oven. This is why your steak remains consistent throughout. If you want to replicate that high heat at home, charcoal is your best chance.
Some charcoal grills even allow smoking. For anyone that has never heard of a Kamado style grill, it's the ultimate in versatility. It offers the highest quality BBQing, grilling, and smoking a man could ask for.
Last, which is the reason I buy charcoal, price. A high end gas grill can go for over $2,000. A high end charcoal grill goes for a few hundred dollars.
The cost of the use of gas and a bag of charcoal are pretty much a wash. However, I find charcoal grills to be a lot more durable. This is because you don't have all the extra controls on a charcoal grill compared to a gas grill. Which saves you a lot of money and time in the long run. A quality charcoal grill can last over a decade.
Good luck in purchasing your new grill. I can only wish you have as great as memories as I do while grilling.